Variable pitch hydraulic transmission



June 2, 1953 K. G. ALTHEIDE VARIABLE PITCH HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 2, 1948 INVENTOR.

by M mg: I

Kennel/2 6. Allheide K. G. ALTHEIDE VARIABLE PITCH HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION June 2, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 2, 1948 Kenneth G. A/theide INVENTOR.

BY waam.

Patented June 2, 1953 VARIABLE PITCH HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION Kenneth G. Altheide, Quincy, Ill.

Application September 2, 1948; Serial No. 47,505

4 Claims. (Cl. 253-142) 1 My invention relates to improvements in hydraulic transmissions of the turbine type.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed transmission of thevariable speed turbine type for use especially in the line of connection between an automobile engine and the propeller shaft of the automobile and which is constructed and arranged for varying the speed of the drive in a more efiicient manner than hydraulic transmissions as commonly constructed.

Another object is to provide a hydraulic turbine type transmission having variable pitch rotor blades and improved means for mounting the blades and varying the pitch thereof.

Still another object is to provide in such a transmission improved means for causing a forced circulation of liquid in the transmission and preventing swirling of such liquid.

Other and subordinate objects, within the purview of my invention, together with the precise nature of my improvements will be readily understood When the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying and: forming part of the specification.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section of my improved transmission in a preferred embodiment thereof;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the impeller and rotor;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the rotor partly in section;

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5; is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is another similar view taken on the line 66 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is another similar view taken on the line 'l'l of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a view in rear end elevation partly in section;

Figure 9 is a view in end elevation of one of the rotor blades drawn to a larger scale;

Figure 10 is a view in longitudinal section taken on the line Ill-l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the speed control shaft.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals, my improved transmission comprises a generally cylindrical impeller and rotor casing I designed to contain oil and having front and rear end heads 2, 3 axially bored, as at 4, 5 and formed with axial, .circumferentiallyconcave hubs 6,- l

from which radiate stabilizing blades 8, 9 for preventing oil circulating through the casing I from swirling, at the ends of said casing. Bolts l9 secure the heads 2, 3 in place. A pair of top liquid inlet and outlet openings l I, I2 are provided in the casing I adjacent the front and rear heads 2, 3 and which are axially aligned substan--- tially with the radial inner edges of the blades 8, 9 and are vertically aligned on one side ofthe axis thereof with the perimeter of the hubs 6, 1 for a purpose presently seen.

A cylindrical shell l3 surrounds the casing l between the heads 2, 3 and is bolted, as at H, to said heads in spaced relation to the circumferential wall of the casing l to provide a chamber 15- for passing oil from the outlet opening 12 back to the inlet opening H. The shell I3 is ribbed as at l3 for cooling purposes. A filler neck IS on the shell I3 is closed by a plug H.

A spider I8 is provided in the casing I diametrically thereof between the openings ll, l2 and comprises a hub 19 and radial twisted blades 20 bolted, as at 2|, to said cylinder I. The blades 20 serve as means intermediate the blades 8,9

for preventing swirling of liquid in the casing l. The hub I9 is axially bored, as at 22, for a purpose presently apparent.

The power shaft 23, which may be the crankshaft of an automobile engine, is journaled through the bore 4 of the front end head 2 with its inner end extending partway into and journaled in the bore 22 of the spider hub l9.

An impeller 24 is interposed between the hub 6 of the front end head 2 and the hub [9 of the spider I8 with a hub 25 rotatably fitted between said hubs 6, l9 and being axially bored, as at.26, to receive the power shaft 23. A look nut 21 is recessed into the hub 25 and threaded-on to the shaft 24, as at 28, and bolted to said hub 25, as at 29, to fix the impeller 24 to said power shaft. Suitably itched blades ar provided on the, hub 25 of the rotor 24 to force liquid rearwardly in the casing l.

The rotor, designated generally by the numeral 3|, is interposed between the hub I 9 of the spider l8 and the hub 7 of the front end head 3. The rotor 3| comprises a pair of axially bored, axially aligned front and rear hub members 32, 33 of cylindrical form, the front hub; member 32 having an end circumferential flange shaft 39 journaled at said end in the bore 22 of the spider hub IS, the remainder of said shaft 39 extending rearwardly out of the casing l. A flanged bearing sleeve 49 on the end 38 of said shaft 39 forms a liquid seal between said hub members 32, 33 and the propeller shaft 39. A sealing ring 4| on said end 38 forms a liquid seal between the spider hub l9 and the front hub member 32. As willlbe' seen, the; hub} members; 32, 33 are relatively'rotatable; Thefront and rear hub members 32, 33 of the rotor 3| support a series of circumferentially spaced rectangular. rotor blades 42 extending endwise along,-said.hub members in substantially radial relation thereto;

The rotor blades 42 each comprise a pair of front and rear, substantially rectangul'an end plates 43, 44 recessed, as at- 45,, in one.and the. same side thereof with keeper plates l'liseated in and secured in the recesses 45 by SCIBWST41. A3 stem 41 extends from one end of each plate 43, :withan endiballz ta'thereon fonapurposezpres ently seen; Longitudinal tie. rods: 49-; connect: the; end plates 43,451 and.- are spaced apart, trans. verselybfithe bladed! with ball ends-fillsrotatable; in.:round;sockets 5| formeddn: said end1plates4-3; 44; in" the-bottoms-cof the :recesses 45.: and backs;of

the; keeper plates 4'6; said: sockets. having, flared;

months 52: Preferably there are. three: of the; tiBiIUl'lS 49,. with one rod: adj acenteachdongitudh nal .edge: of: theirotorblade: 42; and? one rods inter mediate the others andin theylongitudinalcenter of. the; blade; although; the: number. of: intermediate; rods .may,be;increased if desired. One; ball; end. 5|): of the intermediate; tie: rod 49; is slidable' thereon toproyidera telescopic. oonne'ctionwhich;. together Withl the; ball; ends. Eds-and; the flared: mouth, sockets 52? provide; for. relative. tilting: of the; ends 43;.4 11 of: the blade; 42 laterally andifor.

limitedirotationz of. the same, relatively about the;

axes; oft the stems; M. A'. hood; 53? of: flexible material, preferably; sheetnubbencoversxthe ends. 435, 44.. ofi each blade 42: and; provides. thesurface: of: the-:rotor' 'bladeswhile: yieldingly "tying theoends 43, d4 of: the bladetogether. Theirotorbladea lm ane "mountediini the: front; and;' rear hub: members.

32;,313 of; theirotor' 3l. byumeanszof thestem'sAfll which are accommodated. in. open side: slots.

in.confronting: sides ofthe flanges-.34,- 35" oftsaid members; 32;. 33,. the. slots. being spaced circum1-- ferentially. around said members 3-2; 3 8 a and have ingr enlarged; elongated; bottom sockets 55 exe tendin endwise. transversely. of. said: flanges: 34', 35sand in whichzthe ballend's 43 of said stemsAl are; confined so". that said stemst! are retained in: the' hub members 32; 33- but the stems 4 of. each. rotor; blade 42 have. limited sliding moves merit toward and from theends of-: slots 54; A pair-r of spa'cingcollars. 56, 5? on the f'rontand rear. hub members 32; 33; intermediate the fianges 34* 35501056. the.-slots 54 and are bolted to said members asat 381.

Asxwillinow be. seen, ifithe rean hub memben 33 of 'the rotor 3| is rotated relative=to the front hubxmemben-Mgthe; end plates; 44 of 'the rotor blades. 42; will: be.- revo'lved: about: the axes of; the;

stems M" andtheyrear end. plates: 4:4: ofsaidzblacles willgbareyolved sidewisetrelativeto: theafront end plates; 43*- thereby swinging; said: bladesa-aboutsthev axes? of: the stems 4?! to pitchv said blades 42.. laterally into substantially spiral: arrangement; aroundrthe hubrmemberszw, 33,:and the-describedtielrodsedil, the mounting of .the:stems Altogether? with the flexi'ble. covering. 53-.will.provide; forcome.

pensating movement of the: parts of the: blades:

4 relatively opposite directions for forward and reverse rotation of the rotor 3| at different speeds. The hood 43 may be suitably bonded to the tie rods 49 and the sides bonded together between said rods.

A hollow speed control shaft 69 is journaled and endwise slidable in the bore 5 of the rear end head 3 with the propeller shaft 39 extending therethrough 'rleanwardly outt of; theisame'y and to which said shaft" is splined-Z as at 61', to be driven thereby. The front end of the speed control shaft 60 is journaled in a counterbore 62 in the rear..- hub. member 33 of the rotor 3| and is endwise. slidable in said bore. The front end of the speed control shaft 6|] is splined to the rear hub member '33 of the rotor 3| by spiral fins 63 on saidshaft, arranged so that endwise sliding of said shaft 60 in opposite directions, in different degree,- will correspondingly rotate the rear hub member 33 relative to the front hub member 32 to; variablypitchithe; rotors-blades l2for-variahle speed driveiof. the: propeller shaft: 35.; inopposite;

directions; As: will; be: seen;v in an, intermediate setting; of; tlie speeds; controlv shaft 69;, the rotor:

blades. 42, are. maintained in: a; neutral; positioniini which; the; same are. substantially parallel. with. the; axis, of; the:- rotor.- 3.|. so that: no. drive. to: the" propellenshafti39iwill oocun.

Fora-moving the speedzcontitol shaft: Gil endwise; afar-lied; shif-terrleyeizyfifi is ,2 provided .andlpivoted in the usual manner, not shownaforswingmg'sof the fork: thereof. The-.forlcfifi iscprovidediwith rollers filworkin'g-in a ciroumferentiallygrooved; Sleeve 86; surroundingi theispeed: control: shaft? 661 The sleeve 6,3: islmountedz on anti-friction bear--- ingsi Bet" on shaft.v 39 interposed; and; confined betweenipaira of lock: nuts: 79/ onzsaidt shaft? 60; Sealing. rings H suitably fixedi on. the ends of the sleeve 88.- and'. carrying; sealing; Washers 12- form; dust. seals between said i sleeve- 68: and! said bearings 69.. An accordion.. pleated; flexible uard 13; surrounds: the); speed; central. shaft. 33

between! the.- sleeye: 68: and; the a rear: end. head 3 0f. the-casing; andis;suitablysecured to' one. ends of the.- sleeve 8B: and to said-. hea'd; as at. M.

The manner in which my describeditransmission operates; wilhbe:v readily understoodlfromzthe foregoing; and..the following; brief; description of:' operations. filledwith oil, not, shown, ifzthe power-shaft23 be driven, the impeller Ziluwillbezrotateito cause them-oil. torflowl past the. rotor: bladesr iz, th mil circulatin through, the casing and: backrto: the impeller.- 24; by, way-0f. the outletopening: |2I1and the inlet opening H; to. be noted: thatl the.- blades. 3% are arr-anged to draw oil out of chamber l5 through-the opening" a direction corresponding to the. degree ofipitch' andthedirectionin,whichgsaidiblades are pitched laterally. Obviously, the: propeller: shaft-139i will: be, rotated in. correspondence.1withx the: rotor: 3|

sinc.e..- the? front. hub; member 32: of-' said rotor is keyed; to: said; shaft. The speed: control shaft Edwin; also beirotated inicorrespondencewith the: rotor. 3-.lsince-the; rear. hubzmember: 33 of said tmper-mitsuchpitching;inrvariabladegreeandrin. 7 rotor is splined. theretm The' circumferentially With the casing and-chamber. |-5

In. this: connection; it

concave hubs 6, 9 prevent the oil from pocketing between the blades 8, 9.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suffice to impart a clear understanding of my invention, without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification, without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

1. A rotor for a hydraulic transmission comprising a pair of coaxial hub members having confronting sides and one being rotatable relative to the other, elongated blades extending lengthwise alongside both hub members and each having a pair of separate end sections and means flexibly connecting each pair of end sections, one of the hub members being opposite one end section of each blade and the other hub member being opposite the other end section of the blade, and means on each end section and hub member opposite thereto pivotally and slidably connecting said sections to their opposite hub members for sliding movement longitudinally of the hub members and lateral swinging about individual axes radial to said hub members upon rotation of said one hub member relative to the other, whereby to impart a twisting action to said blades for varying the pitch thereof, and means to rotate said one hub member.

2. A rotor according to claim 1 wherein the end sections in each pair are spaced apart with confronting edges, and rods connect said confronting edges and being universally jointed thereto.

3. A rotor according to claim 1, said second named means comprising stems on said end sections having end balls thereon, said confronting sides of the hub member having recesses receiving said stems and end balls, with said stems substantially radial to said hub members.

what is 4. A rotor for a hydraulic transmission comprising a pair of coaxial hub members one rotatable relative to the other, rectangular blades extending endwise longitudinally of the axes of said hub members and having separate flexibly connected end sections relatively movable laterally in opposite directions with respect to each other and pivotally and slidably connected to said hub members in substantially radial position relative thereto for lateral movement in opposite direction with respect to each other by rotation of said hub member relative to the other to variable pitch said blades with a twisting action, and means to rotate said one hub member relative to the other, said end sections comprising plates having stems thereon recessed into confronting sides of said hub members and extending substantially radially out of the same to pivotally and slidably connect said plates to said hub members, the plates of each blade being spaced part edgewise with confronting edges, and rods connected to said confronting edges and being universally jointed thereto.

KENNETH G. ALTHEIDE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,129,720 Patterson Feb. 23, 1915 1,279,742 Mott Sept. 24, 1918 1,456,699 Kramer May 29, 1923 1,840,148 Berry Jan. 5, 1932 1,993,741 Jandasek Mar. 12, 1935 2,309,899 Hepperle Feb. 2, 1943 2,382,034 Wemp Aug. 14, 1945 2,415,365 Mudd Feb. 4, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 421,077 France Dec. 12, 1910 

